Transforming harmful online searches into a journey of hope
Combatting suicide’s invisible accomplice
At R;pple, we are dedicated to intercepting harmful content related to self-harm and suicide through innovative technology.
Our mission is fuelled by the personal tragedy of our founder, Alice Hendy MBE, who lost her only sibling, her brother Josh, to suicide. Josh had been searching for techniques to take his own life through harmful internet searches. Josh was 21.
By leveraging our innovative technology, we aim to ensure that immediate mental health support and resources are readily available to individuals in their time of need.
R;pple Suicide Prevention
R;pple Suicide Prevention Charity strives for a safe World Wide Web that protects individuals from dangerous online content leading to self-harm and suicide.
It advocates for a safer internet, combats the stigma surrounding suicide and mental ill health, and aims to ensure hope and support are available to anyone searching for harmful online content.
The Charity promotes the deployment of the R;pple Browser Extension free of charge to individuals, parents, guardians, educational establishments and charitable organisations.
R;pple Online Safety
R;pple Online Safety is a technology organisation specialised in classifying harmful online content and advancing online safety through AI and machine learning.
An extension of R;pple Suicide Prevention Charity, it supports the Charity by providing technological innovations and resources for its award-winning digital crisis intervention tool.
Through partnerships with private and public sector organisations, R;pple Online Safety aims to broaden the adoption of the R;pple tool, ensuring safer online experiences for all.
Our <values> underpin everything we do
Values are the cornerstone of R;pple's mission, guiding every action and decision. They ensure R;pple remains true to its purpose, fostering trust and integrity with our staff, supporters, and volunteers. We will always uphold these values and the promises we make.
Responsibility
to make the online world a safer place
; Hope,
because no matter how hard it is, your story isn’t over
Passion
for fighting the stigma surrounding mental health
Persistence
in reducing suicide rates globally
Leading
the way in classification and signposting technology
Empathy
towards anyone finding things tough
Our <dedicated> team of staff and volunteers
Josh Hendy
Alice Hendy MBE
Ian Hendy
Craig Butler
David Savage
Elena Yaneva
Harrison Read
Hollie Williams
Josh Harding
Luke Haseldine
Richard Howarth
Sam Smith
Tom Kingston
<Address> mental health and suicide in the workplace
6 simple ways in which you can start to make a difference in your organisation
1. Reduce the stigma of suicide
One of the greatest challenges for individuals struggling with mental health is the associated stigma which prevents them from reaching out to get treatment. Businesses have a responsibility to ensure the correct language and terminology is used, as well as ensuring mental health is embedded at the core of its company values, providing frequent, informative, and supportive internal communications for employees to learn about mental health conditions and voice concerns about their own mental health - with a zero-tolerance policy to workplace bullying and / or harassment.
2. Install smart-tech such as R;pple to intercept web searches relating to self-harm and suicide
Installing R;pple is a simple yet life-saving tactic to start combatting mental health and suicide in the workplace; the smart software is installed as a browser extension on laptops and desktops or integrated into Wi-Fi networks and intercepts harmful searches relating to suicide or self-harm, by instead providing resources for people to seek free, accessible 24/7 mental health support.
3. Combat loneliness by creating a workplace that prioritises social inclusion
Isolation in the workplace is known to contribute to mental health issues, and its important employees are able to talk to one another; businesses should allow socialising during office hours, and arrange social events outside of office hours to ensure teams are bonding and engaging with one another - particularly with a lot of us now working from home.
4. Provide a fund for employees working from home & combat financial hardship
Financial struggles are often linked to mental health issues, with 30% of employees citing financial wellbeing as a cause of stress outside of work (ref The Workplace Health Report by Champion Health), and businesses should do everything they can to support their staff in these instances; providing free financial counselling is a simple but effective way or by going one step further by providing financial support for workers experiencing financial hardship - such as with the current cost-of-living crisis.
5. Provide access to mental health and suicide prevention training for all staff
One of the most important (and obvious) steps to preventing suicide in the workplace is to recognise it - and know the signs to look out for when someone is struggling; businesses should set-up annual training exercises with staff, such as a course with Mental Health First Aid England (MHFA), to show them how to identify and intervene with a colleague in this
situation, to ensure vulnerable employees get the help and support they need.
Download a Mental Health and Suicide Prevention pack of resources here.
6. Reduce work-related stress & provide stable employment
Work can be stressful, however employers need to ensure that workloads are realistic and achievable, and that employees aren’t taking that stress home with them; flexible working hours, meeting-free time and regular check-ins are a good way of doing this; moreover, employers should support staff suffering a mental health crisis with access to paid leave using supportive policies, to ensure they’re able to take the time and get the help they need.